How does the Government exercise control over Gram Panchayats in Odisha?

In Odisha, Gram Panchayats (village councils) are local self-governments at the village level that are responsible for implementing various development and welfare schemes, maintaining civic amenities, and addressing local issues in their respective villages. The Gram Panchayats are established and regulated by the Odisha Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.

The government exercises control over Gram Panchayats through a hierarchy of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) at the village, block, and district levels. The Gram Panchayats are the lowest level of PRIs, and they are accountable to the higher level PRIs and to the government.

The government appoints a Gram Panchayat Development Officer (GPDO) to oversee the functioning of the Gram Panchayats and to ensure that they are complying with the provisions of the Panchayat Raj Act. The GPDO is also responsible for providing technical and administrative support to the Gram Panchayats.

The government also provides financial assistance to the Gram Panchayats through various schemes and programmes. The Gram Panchayats are required to use this financial assistance for the development of their respective villages and to implement various welfare schemes.

In addition to the above, the government also conducts regular monitoring and evaluation of the Gram Panchayats to ensure that they are functioning effectively and efficiently. If any Gram Panchayat is found to be failing to meet its obligations or to be misusing funds, the government may take corrective action, including issuing warnings, suspending or dismissing the members of the Gram Panchayat, or dissolving the Gram Panchayat altogether.